48 Incredible Worldwide Responses To Putin's Invasion Of Ukraine, So Far
As we all know by now, Russia invaded Ukraine on the 24th of February 2022. This unprovoked and unjustified show of aggression has forced over half a million people to flee Ukraine, with an estimate of four million to eventually leave the country.
In response, countries across the world have condemned the attack, and have been rushing to aid Ukraine and its people. The EU, Western countries, and remarkably, even Switzerland, abandoning its historic neutral position on global wars, have backed Ukraine with punishing sanctions placed again Russia, along with providing humanitarian aid and military equipment to the Ukrainian army.
"Never since the second world war has the rights of one country been so violated by another. You cannot stand aside. To play into the hands of an aggressor is not neutral," the Swiss president, Ignazio Cassis, said. Switzerland hopes that standing in solidarity with Ukraine and not remaining neutral will encourage the Kremlin to rethink its actions.
In the same spirit as Switzerland, other neutral countries such as Finland, Sweden, Austria, Ireland, and the Vatican have also condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Even though they aren’t part of NATO, Finland and Sweden have announced they will send military aid to support the Ukrainian troops.
"It’s the rebirth of a new Europe," Michael McFaul, a former U.S. ambassador to Russia, told NBC News. "It’s a historic shift. I think this will have major consequences moving forward for the future of Europe, for the future of the transatlantic alliance, for the future of NATO — just when all of those things were fraying."
1. Russia Banned From Eurovision Song Contest 2022
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2. Ukraine Gets $22 Million In Crypto Donations To Fight Invasion
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3. Companies worldwide are supporting humanitarian efforts with financial donations
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4. Millions of people attend worldwide mass protests against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
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Media research and professor at the department of journalism at Odesa Mechnikov National University, Nataliia Steblyna wrote in the Kyiv Independent: "Here in Ukraine, we will be repeating this over and over again: Russia’s war isn’t only about our country. This is about all of us. Because of Russian hybrid warfare, everyone who values freedom, democracy, and justice is a potential target.” She says that we all we should stand together in support of Ukraine in any way that we can, and stressed that “Even small steps may be significant.”
People around the world, sickened by Putin’s gross display of terror and aggression, have also been inspired and touched by those on the streets and outskirts of targeted cities defending their country. The world has united in support of Ukraine, from government-issued sanctions, worldwide protests, canceled/banishment from sports and cultural events, to cyberattacks against Russia and supporting nations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the European Parliament with an emotional message on the 6th day of fighting off Russia’s invasion. "I believe that we, today, we're giving lives for the desire to be equal, as much as you are. We are giving away our best people," he said. "Nobody is going to break us. We are strong. We are Ukrainian."
"We have proven our strengths. We have proven that as a minimum we are exactly the same as you are," Zelenskyy added. "Prove that you are with us. Do prove that you will not let us go. Do prove that you indeed are Europeans."
The Ukrainian people and their President have shown tremendous courage, which has inspired people, companies, and governments worldwide. Bringing a massive outpour of support, with people joining together to aid Ukrainian civilians through social media mobilization, calling out false information, and donating to refugee support.
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5. Germany speeds up renewable energy push due to Ukraine invasion
The move comes amid Ukraine's invasion, underscoring the need for Europe to reduce reliance on Russian gas.
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6. Russian planes forced to navigate around Europe
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7. Sporting World Punishes Russian Aggression With Indefinite Bans, Suspensions
In response to Russia’s unprovoked war on Ukraine, countries across the world are canceling sporting events and other matchups involving Russian teams and athletes.
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8. Azerbaidjan based fuel company, SOCAR, is offering FREE gas for Ukrainian ambulances and SES
The BBC has reported that refugees have crossed the borders to neighboring countries to the west — Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, and Moldova. Poland has taken in over 280K refugees so far and expects an additional 50K to arrive daily.
"Countries used to have time limits on how long refugees could spend in reception centers, but most are saying they are likely to waive them and that Ukrainians can stay in them for as long as they need to."
Joining in support, hackers from around the world have joined the fight by disrupting Russia’s digital infrastructure. The Independent reports that hacking groups such as Anonymous and the Cyber Partisans "have claimed responsibility for cyberattacks on Russia’s banks, state broadcaster RT, and a Belarusian rail network reportedly used to move troops from Russia to Ukraine."
"DDoS alone will not bring down a regime", one German Anonymous splinter group said, but "Putin, who is using hacker squads and troll armies against Western democracies, is getting a sip of his own bitter medicine". Their goal is to obtain information and "keep the Russian IT apparatus busy" so that Putin's hacker troops "cannot do anything in Ukraine or the West".
9. Cities around the world show their solidarity with Ukraine
10. This is how Poland is welcoming refugees from Ukraine at train stations and they spent whole night there too - with food, water, clothes, cars, accommodations, medical and psychological help. It’s not government funded- these are people spending own money and time.
Along with all the government, civilian, and hacker support, the sporting world has moved to ban Russia from competing in events. "FIFA and UEFA have today decided together that all Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, shall be suspended from participation in both FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice," the two organizations said in a joint statement.
11. U.S. And EU Agree To Cut Russian Banks Out Of Vital Swift Financial System as Part of Latest Sanctions
12. New Hampshire bans Russian-made and Russian-branded spirits from liquor and wine stores
13. US Announces $350 Million In New Military Aid To Ukraine Amid War
14. Netflix will not add state-run channels to Russian service, defying regulation
15. EU relaxes entry paperwork for pets travelling with Ukrainian refugees
The European Commission has strongly advised member states to cut red tape for Ukrainian citizens fleeing from the war to safety in the EU with their pet animals, to give refugees “one less thing to worry about”.
16. Major social media platforms ban Russian state media in Europe
Major social media companies including YouTube, Facebook and TikTok moved to ban Russian state media outlets in Europe, blocking Moscow’s biggest megaphone for influencing public opinion about the war in Ukraine in a critical region on its borders.
17. Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine asks, and receives help from Elon Musk with Satellite Internet amid Russian invasion
18. Twitter Will Label Tweets Linking To Russian State-Backed Media Like RT And Sputnik
Twitter announced Monday it will label and limit the reach of tweets linking to Russian state-affiliated news sources, hours after the European Union said it would ban Russian state-funded outlets RT and Sputnik, which the EU accused of spreading lies and justifying Russian aggression in Ukraine.
19. Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively match donations up to $1mil to Ukrainian refugee angencies
20. EU closes its airspace to Russian planes, while other companies suspend service in Russia
21. A map of Polish homes open to Ukrainian refugees
22. Many countries have sent military aid to Ukraine, including neutral non-aligned Sweden
23. A “historic decision” .. Finland departs from its neutrality and decides to supply Ukraine with weapons
24. Multinational corporations divert and stop their investments in Russia
25. Japan Announces Sanctions on Russia
Japan will suspend visa issuance to people related to the breakaway Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, freeze their assets, ban trade with the two areas and prohibit the issuance and trading of Russian sovereign bonds, Kishida told reporters.
26. World Central Kitchen sets up on the Ukraine/Poland border to provide 1,700 hot meals to refugees
27. Hacking group GNG, associated with Anonymous, has hacked & leaked databases of Sberbank, Russian banking and financial services company
28. In order to confuse Russian forces, Google Maps disables live traffic data in Ukraine
Google has temporarily disabled some Google Maps tools in Ukraine which provide live traffic data and how busy different places are in a bid to protect Ukrainians from the Russian military.
The company has globally disabled the Google Maps traffic layer and live information on how busy places like shops and restaurants are in Ukraine for the safety of local communities in the country amid fears Moscow could target the crowded areas.
29. Anonymous Launches Attack On Belarus Government Sites After Continued Russia Support
30. Anonymous has also issued a warning to Putin, telling him his 'secrets may no longer be safe'.
31. Poland offers free train tickets to escaping Ukrainians
32. Teen who went viral for tracking Elon Musk's jet announces that he is now tracking Russian oligarchs jumbo jets
33. Lithuania bans Russian, Belarusian TV channels over war incitement
The Lithuanian Radio and Television Commission (LRTK) has banned the rebroadcasting of six Russian-language TV channels in the country over their incitement of war and propaganda.
The decision was made to ban the rebroadcasting of Belarus 24, NTV Mir, RTR Planeta, Rossiya 24, PBK, and TVCI, Ričardas Slapšys, vice chairman of LRTK, told BNS.
In his words, the identified violations “presuppose the possibility to further ban these channels, after having looked at them from the perspective that they spread propaganda and incite war”.
34. Denmark becomes the First European Country to let volunteers join foreign brigade in Ukraine
35. Departing from protocol, pope goes to Russian embassy over Ukraine
The ambassador was quoted as saying that the Argentine pontiff "called for the protection of children, the protection of the sick and suffering, and the protection of people."
The visit by a pope to an embassy to talk to an ambassador in a time of conflict is unprecedented in living memory.
Foreign envoys are usually summoned by the Vatican's Secretary of State or meet with the pope in the Apostolic Palace.
36. Taiwan shows massive balls by sending Ukraine 27 tons of medical supplies
37. In response to the attacks, the World Taekwondo withdrew the honorary 9th dan black belt given to Vladimir Putin in November 2013
38. Anti-refugee governments in Poland and Hungary decide to take in Ukrainian refugees
39. Heavyweight boxing champions and brothers, Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko, join thousands of others volunteering to Ukraine's International Legion Army
40. 33 Countries have closed their airspace to Russian planes
These countries include the U.S., Canada, and the EU
41. EU unanimously agrees to accept Ukrainian refugees for up to 3 years without requiring them to first apply for asylum
42. Famous writer Stephen King, and others, are using their platforms to raise awareness and share their support
43. SAG Awards attendees stand with Ukraine
44. Switzerland Abandons Centuries Of Being Neutral And Is Now Backing Ukraine
The European country, who famously stayed on the fence during World War II against the Nazis, has announced it will be supporting economic and financial sanctions against Russia for invading and declaring war on its western neighbour.
45. Stockholm Sweden sending medical & hospital equipment to Ukraine!
46. World judo body suspends Vladimir Putin as honorary president
47. Israeli doctors journey to Ukraine help the Ukrainian soldiers and civilians.
It Reads: "Doctors Of Israel On A Journey To Ukraine. Glory To Ukraine!"
48. The EU has agreed to provide €450M worth of weapons and ammunition to the Ukrainian Army
Following suit, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) confirmed that Russia would no longer be participating in this year's Eurovision Song Contest, an international songwriting competition, due to "the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine.” A Ukrainian folk rap group who are participating in this year's Eurovision competition, Kalush Orchestra, told Sky News that their song has become an “anthem for Ukraine.”
"This song which we have created [Stefania], it's the anthem for Ukraine and everybody is singing it," he said. "I think that the aggressor country must be banned from everywhere, from all the possible parts of the economy and politics because the people from their country don't realize that their country is aggressive and the aggressor for all the world, not only for Ukraine."
And so far, most of the world agrees. If you want and are able to help Ukraine against Russia’s invasion, you can donate to Ukraine’s main charity, Save Life.
Additionally, you can donate to the following:
